Ladder jacks



5, 969 E, F. FREDERICK 3,459,277

LADDER J ACKS Filed Dec. 11, 1967 INVENTOR EZRAEFREDERICK ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,459,277 LADDER JACKS Ezra F. Frederick, 1970 S. 81st St., West Allis, Wis. 53214 Filed Dec. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 689,719 Int. Cl. E06c 7/06 US. Cl. 182-214 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Ladder packs or support brackets capable of being selectively extended to desired lengths and amenable to use for supporting a ladder in use without the ladder contacting any vertical surface.

My invention relates to improvements in ladder jacks, and more particularly to ladder support brackets, adaptable for use with single, or extension type ladders.

It is manifest to anyone familiar with the use of ladders for servicing the sides, or roofs of buildings, that quite frequently it is advantageous, or even necessary, to keep the top edge of the ladder away from contact with the surface of the wall or the particular area being serviced. It is also necessary for professional painters, in particular, to have convenient means for supporting scalfolds.

Accordingly, the prime object of my invention is to provide supports of adjustable lengths for ladders, that will keep the ladders from abutting the building wall being served.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described that will also support scaffolds or the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide ladder brackets that may be used in conjunction with chains, or adjustable link supports.

The device illustrated, described, and claimed herein serves a purpose for which it is intended, and is easy to manipulate without the use of special tools, or mechanical skill.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1, is a side view of the device applied to the back of the ladder to support the ladder away from the building wall, with a scaffold, or plank resting on its upper edge, and another device supported on the outer face of the ladder and also supporting a plank.

FIGURE 2, is a perspective view of the upper device as shown in FIG. 1, supported by an adjustable link Support.

FIGURE 3, is a variation of the device shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4, is a top view of the assembled device.

FIGURE 5, is a cross-sectional side view of the device as shown in FIG. 4.

FIGURE 6, is a cross-sectional view of the link con struction, and

FIGURE 7, is a side view of the link shown in FIG. 6.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts and features, throughout the several views, and referring now to the same, the character 10 shows a conventional ladder which may be single, or of the extension type, and equipped with conventional rungs 11.

The device constituting my invention comprises a U- shaped member 12, having both of its ends equipped with cushion members 13, constructed of rubber, or the like.

There are two rods 14 attached to the member 12 at in any efficient manner, and spaced apart in parallel relation to one another. The rods 14 are provided with a plurality of apertures 16, and each rod is provided with a sleeve 17 having a yoke 18 attached to its end. The sleeve 17 slidably supports the rod 14 and has a pin 19 extending therethrough, for engagement with the apertures 16 in the rods 14, for longitudinal adjustment.

The yokes 18, on the sleeves 17 are attached in any efi'icient manner, and are each provided with a bolt 20 extending therethrough.

When the device is attached to the ladder 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the yokes 18 engage the rungs 11, and are held thereon by fastener means such as the bolts 20. A chain 21 is attached to the member 12 at 22, and extends upward to a-higher rung 11, where it is attached in any convenient manner at 23.

The adjustable link assembly shown in FIGS. 6- and 7, have the sleeve 17, the yoke 18, the pin 19, and the yoke pin 20, all arranged in the same manner, except that the rod 14, is also provided with a yoke shown as 24, equipped with a pin 25.

The purpose of the yoke 18, is to contact the cross bar of the member 12, and the purpose of the yoke 24 is to engage the rung 11 of the ladder 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

When the entire assembly is attached to the ladder as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to suspend a plank 26, as shown in phantom in FIG. 1, and when the assembled device is attached to the ladder as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to support a plank, or board 27, shown in phantom in FIG. 1. Obviously the use of the planks 26 or 27, would require two ladders spaced apart from one another.

The device constituting my invention is a self-contained unit, easy to transport and attach, and serves a definite purpose for which it is intended.

Although I have shown a specific construction and arrangement of the parts and features, I am fully cognizant of the fact that many changes may be made without eifecting the operativeness of the device, and I reserve the rights to make such changes as I may deem necessary without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desired to secure by Letters Patent in the United States, is:

1. A ladder jack for mounting on ladders,

said jack equipped to abut surfaces to support said ladders,

said jack comprising:

first yoke means for gripping first selected rungs of said ladders to couple said jack to said ladders,

a U-shaped tubular bracket for abutting said surfaces,

said U-shaped bracket having its open end extending toward said surfaces,

cushion means at the ends of said U-shaped brackets for providing friction and for cushioning the abutment of said bracket against said surfaces,

a first pair of telescoping linkages for connecting said abutting bracket to said coupling means,

means for selectively extending said telescoping linkages to desired lengths,

holding means for holding said U-shaped abutting bracket at desired angles relative to said standards of said ladders,

said holding means comprising a second pair of telescoping linkage means extending from said ladder to said U-shaped abutting bracket,

said second pair of linkage means comprising a second yoke means coupling said linkage means to said abutting bracket,

a third yoke means coupling said linkage means to selected rungs of said ladder other than said first selected rungs,

said third yoke means comprising an articulated yoke, References Cited and UNITED STATES PATENTS means for selectlvely extending sald second pan of telescoping linkages to desired lengths. 1,004,284 9/1911 Lehmann 182-121 2. The ladder jack of claim 1 wherein said telescoping 5 7 6/ 916 L cas 182-121 linkages comprise sleeve means, 2,592,006 4/ 1952 Burke 132214 rod means inserted in said sleeve means, 2:21? apzrltgres in both sald rod means and said sleeve means, 352881249 11/1966 'L'IIIIII: 182 214 pin means for passing through said apertures when in 10 REINALDO MACHADO! Primary Examiner coinsidence in locking said rod into said sleeve to U.S.C1. X.R.

provide the desired length. 248235 

